WT Forums

Would the NAVY's new bumper sticker read,
\"I'd rather ditch my hornet than land on a FORD!\"

WASHINGTON — The Navy announced Tuesday it will name the first ship in the next class of aircraft carriers after former President Gerald R. Ford, who died three weeks ago.
It is a fitting tribute to Ford, who served in the Navy during World War II, say those who knew him.

\"He would be proud ... of this coming addition to the Navy he joined 65 years ago, led as commander in chief and respected all the days of his life,\" said Vice President Dick Cheney, who served as Ford's chief of staff, during a ceremony at the Pentagon.

The naming of the aircraft carrier sparked controversy among some veterans who tried to persuade the Navy to name it after the USS America, which was sunk in an experiment in 2005. But senators Carl Levin, D-Mich., and John Warner, R-Va., intervened to have the ship named after Ford.

The 1,092-foot long aircraft carrier is expected to be commissioned in 2015. At 100,000 tons, the carrier is designed to rise 20 stories above water level and be able to operate for 20 years without refueling.

At the ceremony, Susan Ford Bales said her father had taken pride in the fact that the Navy was considering the honor before his death.

Bales shared Ford's sentiments about the upcoming honor, expressed in a recent letter to a friend: \"In my life, I have received countless honors, but none was greater than the opportunity to wear the uniform of lieutenant commander of the United States Navy.\"

Ford Bales attended the ceremony with her three brothers. Betty Ford, who did not attend, watched the ceremony on a Pentagon broadcast, said Ford Bales.

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\"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a GAU-8/A at your side, kid.\"--Hawg Solo

I really dislike this trend of naming Carriers after people... I'm a traditionalist I suppose...

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\"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up\"

Hey at least their naming them after \"Veterans\" , I have no problem with Pres. Ford having his name on one,

If they NAME ANYTHING THE George W. BUSH , then I'd have problem or the USS CLINTON neither name should disgrace a ship.

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

even minesweepers?

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\"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up\"

"Any ship can be a mine sweeper......once.

Goose, I agree with you 110%. If they served with honor and didn't spend what time they may have served dodging their duty, I have no problems. I just wish his last name wasn't FORD.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

I'd have to add the condition that they be dead. Generally that means that history's had time to decide if they're worth much. It's a tradition that's been held though.

I know they have rules about how ships are named-I'm guessing the current rule is nuclear carriers after presidents, like the battleships were states. What was it before?

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Evil is evil, no matter how small.

What was the tradition for carriers before?as a general rule Battles: Lexington, Yorktown, Enterprise, Antietam... CV13 Franklin was the first CV named after a person, and I'm not sure where Wasp and Hornet came from.

There are some other names in the mix that aren't named for historical battles, but a majority are ... which is how I think it should be. Pisses me off to see Yorktown or Bunker Hill on a CG, at least the new Essex has a flightdeck....

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\"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up\"

Langley was the first carrier so ,I have to agree You be \"Dead\" first like money.
Stamps should only be for Dead people, Events ,Anniversary's, Historical places,things,times, then you have the \"Peanuts\" but thats an American Icon.
Commemoratives.

But you think that they'd go back and Name all these new carriers after the Great ones, Hornet,Wasp,Enterprise,Yorktown, and I'd go with a new
America,Constitution.

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"